Jehovah’s witnesses at the door, what do you say?

[singsong]

I believe in god but not from same pov as Jehovah?s witnesses. I have no complaints about people choosing to follow this religion, I think it?s everyone?s right to make their own choices. Also I?ve nothing against Jehovah?s witnesses as people, we had some lovely family friends once who were Jehovah?s witnesses (although they have now moved away). But I?m not really very keen discussing these issues at the door with a complete stranger. Had a lady come round today (very nice polite lady) who was ?spreading the word? I did what I normally do in this situation which was be polite and have a short conversation with her about the issue in her magazine (avoiding talking about it from a religious pov but just life in general) and then said goodbye. My mum on the other hand is quite rude to them and tells them to go away quite abruptly. It?s really not in my nature to be rude but I?m worried that by engaging in conversation in this way I?m maybe misleading them into thinking I might convert and join them in their religion.
What do other people say?

An english teacher at my secondary school used to tell them he was a satanist. That usually got rid of them.

It annoys me intensely because I know that the vast majority of people aren't as cynical and disbelieving as me, and yet even I've nearly been caught out by one of these people.

I never buy anything I haven't researched first (and they'll never give you any figures etc to look at in your own time), and I'd never make a major decision in 5 minutes on my doorstep without even running by DH first (and vicecersa!)

Definitely ruder to them than religious cold callers (who at least are trying to save my soul!)

SD - my dad used to say that, I haven't got the nerve.

Ive told them Im a pagan (well tis true) and as it was Oct I invited them round for Samhain. Soon got rid of them. Mostly get DH to answer the door tho cos he just has to stand there and go "WHAT" to have them scuttling away.

if you contact the local kingdom hall, you can put your address down as a 'do not call' and they wont knock on your door.

i told the mormons who knocked on my door i couldnt convert as i was a caffine addict!

"Do you believe in Paradise?"

"No"

"Do you believe in our Lord Jesus?"

"No"

"Do you believe in Almighty God?"

"No."

Most give up at that point, no stamina at all really.

My ex would start spouting Leninist dogma at them about false consciousness and materialism, that would usually see them off PDQ.

Some are just downright rude tho - and i think in those cases it is acceptable to be rude in return. Like for example we were talking to friends on the doorstep (in passing) and some "religious" people came and "hovvered" sp?(if they'd hoovered they would have been welcome) and then interrupted. I was furious at their rudeness.

we usually have a discussion, they try to save me and I tell them my perspective of the 'original sin'. It's all terribly polite and they never return (figure I'm a lost cause I suppose). My dad used to go one step nearer and invite them into our home, it was very normal for me to return home from school to find a jehovah's witness eatig tea and cakes and discussing religion.....

DS1 and DD are friendly with two JW children at school. Their dad, a nice man, has some fine door-knocking stories. Personally I'm tempted . No more Christmas with the in-laws, no more kids' birthday parties

actually i usually say 'oh hello xxxx, how you doing? and the family? is my mum working with you today?'

my parents are JW's. i was bought up as one.

ROFL Hausfrau, I will look that one out when I get home. Galaxy, did he "reverse" convert them when they doorstepped him?

(btw Misdee, I had no idea you could "opt out" of them calling on you. I'll do that next time!)

they'll mark your address on their maps as a place not to knock

And send the map to god to ensure I am plagued by locusts?

lol. maybe frogs.

Spooky! Two just came round while I was reading this!

Totally forgot all the good advice and said "No thanks" and shut the door again. Oh well, I;ll tell them I'm Mrs Jehovah next time.

I am pagan but I'd never dare tell the JW's this. One woman I know who did had them round the next day praying outside her house for her soul!!

Actually I've never had any problems with them locally, they are invariably polite and friendly and I am the same in return - we don't share the same religion but it doesn't stop me respecting theirs and I'd hope they'd do the same for mine.

flatmouse, yes if a JW was rude to me at my door then I probably wouldn?t have a problem in being rude back. And I certainly would not be happy if I was told I needed repent for having a transfusion or giving one to ds (luckily haven?t ever needed transfusion but if the time ever came then I would have one). I?ve never had any rude ones at my door though, all so nice and polite.

No, I'm never rude to them. I used to have a lady who regulary came to give me the magazines and we would have a little chat about what she thought was interesting in that issue of it, and life in general(she never tried to convert me)Then one day her husband came round and told me that she had died and that he'd promised her that he would carry on delivering the mags. I actually went to her funeral and I must say it was the best funeral I have ever been to (if that makes any sense) A very uplifting service. She was basically a good, honest family woman.
I personally am not religeous and the lot who usually manage to pi** me off are the "born again christians") (SIL and aunty are)

Just tell us nicely you are not interested. We are nice people you know, just doing what we are told to do in the bible. We do not stick our feet in the door, try to convert you on the spot, insist you give up blood-transfusions as those things are your decisions (or at least certainly should not be doing any of those things). And we do not believe that everyone is going to hell - do not even believe in hell actually. We CERTAINLY do not go around asking for money!! We are delighted when someone wishes to talk, but if you are not interested, please just say so nicely. Thank you xx (ps am a regular poster)

Misdee, are you still a JW? I'm guessing not, as you say you were "brought up as" one. Was it difficult to leave? Don't worry, I'm not planning to convert my kids' friends to agnosticism, just curious.

no i'm not. tho my mum is still trying to get me back into it. atm i dont have time for any religion, and feel that i need to find my own feet before i commit to a religion as well, if that makes sense.

i just said i was leaving, and that was it. i am not baptised or anything.

I had a very close friend who left the Jw's when she was 19. She couldn't cope without it though and her family became very hostile towards her and she returned after 18 months.